Below are the unedited responses from Jamie Culley to the Amarillo Pioneer’s candidate questionnaire for 2020. Culley is a Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 13.
Please note: Questions from the Pioneer are in italics and the candidate’s responses are in standard type.
Culley/Photo by Campaign
What is your occupation?
Busines Development Consultant
What is your age?
57
What is your educational background? Please list any degrees earned, and institutions attended. You may also list any professional certifications.
MBA University of Phoenix
Is this your first time running for office? If not, please list which offices you have sought or held in the past.
Yes
If you have a website, Facebook, Twitter, or any other online campaign materials, please list the links below.
Https://culleytxdist13.org
Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?
As a citizen, I believe We have a civic responsibility to be actively involved in our government. I had started to plan to run in a couple more years. With the unexpected retirement announcement from Congressman Thornberry, I had to launch sooner than planned. I am a Native Texan, Born I, Wichita Falls and very familiar with the diverse needs and opportunities in the 13th Congressional District.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
Economic growth opportunities that leverage the varied seactors to include energy, defense, and agriculture.
Technology programs to make the district attractive for high-tech companies seeking alternate locations for their current and future growth.
Small Business growth through leveraging recognized HUB Zones while identifying academic and trade growth programs.
Do you plan to host town hall meetings in the district during your first term in office? Why or why not?
Yes. I plan to offer regional meetings to capture the pulse in 4-6 county hubs that share a common sector. This will allow me to hear concerns directly. These will be planned exchanges for positive solutions.
Reader submitted question: Would you support new federal campaign finance reform legislation? Please explain.
Yes. The current system allows a Super-Pac to flood cash into a targeted candidate. At the same time, it has major hurdles for individual contributors to fund candidates they support. Overall the current system allows for career politicians to remain in place. Out founders intended for the role of congress to be for the citizens to come in represent their constituents for a time and return home. The concept of career politicians would have not come into play as the would have represented a much smaller population, resulting in thousands of representatives instead of the current capped body.
Do you support term limits? Please explain.
In principal, yes. Term limits similar to the president with two six year terms for Senators and six two year terms would ensure continuous change. This requires an amendment to the constitution. Given that the benefactors of the current system are the fist barrier to implementation, the only remaining option is a Constitutional Convention. The problem here is that the entire constitution is up for revision and could result in the loss of our current form of government and not a good path to go down given our current climate of growing socialism in our country.
Would you vote for any legislation that would prohibit the manufacturing, sale, use, ownership or carrying of firearms? Why or why not?
No. The Second Amendment is quite clear in its intent. A government without the rights protected under the Second Amendment opens the door for the abolishment of all the rest, resulting in a totalitarian government to come into power.
Based on the information available to the public, would you have voted for the articles of impeachment against President Trump had you been in the House at the time? Please explain.
No. The claimed justification falls far short of the standard. It also weaponizes impeachment to now be nothing more than a tool to oppose the other party.this will become a routine action to be used by either side resulting in continuous impeachments well into the future.
With Rep. Thornberry leaving office, the district will be selecting its first new representative since 1995. Why do you believe you are the best equipped candidate to step into this role and represent all areas of the district, including rural communities and cities?
I have a family history going back over 150 years and have family throughout the district. I believe I have a solid understanding of the unique needs of the district. I have seen the different economic needs of every one of the 41 counties and have interacted with people in every county and most of the communities over the past 40 days.
How will you work to advocate for and defend the agriculture community in Washington, if elected?
I intend to focus on legislation that benefits the growth of agriculture and oppose legislation that would add restrictions to this sector.
Reader submitted question: What should the U.S. Congress do to reduce the national debt? Please explain.
Eliminate redundant programs. Reign in spending increases. Operate the budget in the same manner that every household must. Stop spending beyond our means.
Please explain what reforms Congress should enact, if any, regarding the healthcare system.
Return to a free market health care system. Eliminate current regional restrictions in place the limit competition. Remove the government from this sector and limit their role to the truly needy such as needs based medicare. Allow the states to manage these need based programs.
Do you support President Trump's proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border? Please explain.
Yes. A nation without control over immigration is no longer sovereign.
How will you work to ensure constituents can actively communicate with you about the issues, if elected?
I will maintain open access directly or through appropriate regional staff. I would operate three offices, one in Amarillo, one in Wichita Falls, and one in Gainesville.
Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, please list your PAC endorsements.
NONE at this time.
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support in the 13th District?
I am a common denominator with a clear understanding of the varied needs of the district.